Daubenspeck v. Grear

California Supreme Court
Daubenspeck v. Grear, 18 Cal. 443 (Cal. 1861)
1861 Cal. LEXIS 227
Cope

Daubenspeck v. Grear

Opinion of the Court

Cope, J. delivered the opinion of the Court

Field, C. J. and Baldwin, J. concurring.

There is no doubt that the plaintiffs are entited to the equitable relief prayed for. The verdict is conclusive of the rights of. the parties, and the only remedy from which the plaintiffs can derive adequate relief is by injunction. They are threatened with injuries which must, if committed, result in the destruction of their property, and it is the duty of the Courts in such cases to interpose and prevent the perpetration of the injurious acts. We can hardly conceive of a more appropriate case than the present for the administration of this species of justice; the mischief against which the plaintiffs seek protection is irreparable in its nature, and destructive of interests for which no equivalent can be returned. The fact that the defendants are willing to pay for the property is immaterial, for there are no means of determining whether the value of the property in money would compensate the plaintiffs for its destruction. It may possess a value to them which no other person would place upon it; and there is neither justice nor equity in refusing to protect them in the enjoyment of it, merely because they may possibly recover what others may deem an equivalent in money. The nature of the property, which consists of fruit trees, ornamental shrubbery, etc., gives them a peculiar claim to this protection.

The order appealed from is reversed, and the cause remanded for a judgment in accordance with this opinion.

Reference

Full Case Name
DAUBENSPECK v. GREAR
Cited By
7 cases
Status
Published
Syllabus
Plaintiff takes up two hundred and twelve acres of land under- the Possessory Act of this State, encloses it, and plants it with fruit and ornamental trees and shrubbery. Defendants enter upon a portion of the tract for mining purposes, dig up and destroy the trees and shrubbery, and threaten to continue such trespasses—claiming the right so to do by paying to plaintiff the money value of the trees, etc. Plaintiff sues for damages for the trespasses committed and asks a perpetual injunction against future trespasses—verdict: “We the jury award the plaintiff forty-two dollars damages.” Judgment accordingly, the Court refusing to perpetuate the injunction. Plaintiff had recovered a similar verdict in a previous suit: Held, that the verdict is conclusive of the rights of the parties, and that perpetual injunction against the trespasses should issue; that the nature of the property destroyed and threatened to be destroyed is such that the injury is irreparable; that plaintiff is not bound to take the mere ■ money value of the trees, as they may possess a peculiar value to him.